Rocketman review – The story of Elton John

Rocketman is a bright, bold and boisterous film that hits the right notes – for the most part.

However, Sir Elton John’s dramatic life story does not always work because of director Dexter Fletcher’s cinematic style.

The story falls between two stools; it’s not a serious enough, tell-all biopic, though it deals with a dark subject matter, and it’s not a fully-fledged musical, though the characters break into song at the drop of a hat.

I acknowledge, however, that if Fletcher’s intentions were to create Elton’s imagination taking flight, the process didn’t work for me. The mix, with its numerous flights of fantasy, its often outrageous costumes, and its strong music presence will certainly endear this production to millions of Elton’s fans.

Jamie Bell and Taron Egerton in Rocketman. Photo: Paramount Pictures

A bonus factor is the lad who portrays Elton: English actor Taron Egerton is absolutely brilliant.

Sailing effortlessly between singing the many familiar compositions created by Elton and his long-time writing partner Bernie Taupin (played by Jamie Bell), Egerton convincingly shows the darker side of the superstar’s persona. This involved drugs, alcohol abuse and gay love. Bell convinces as Taupin, a sympathetic figure who feels his friend’s pain.

Rocketman opens as we observe Egerton as a plumed, winged Elton in devil-like costume staggering down a dim corridor to a group therapy session. His mission is to regale his audience with the story of his rocket-like success and the challenges he faced every inch of the way.

As the journey unfolds, viewers encounter his unloving father, Stanley (Steven Mackintosh), a former musician who shares little with his son, then known as Reg Dwight. It’s not that Stanley’s self-contained, it’s that his self contains very little.

Reg’s mum, Sheila (Bryce Dallas Howard with a credible British accent), fancies the local painter Fred (Tom Bennett), while it’s left to Reg’s gran Ivy (Gemma Jones) to encourage the boy’s piano playing. She is the one beacon of light in the young boy’s life.

Taron Egerton, Bryce Dallas Howard and Richard Madden in Rocketman. Photo: Paramount Pictures

The uneven cocktail of biopic and flamboyant jukebox musical is what the fans demand and Fletcher is equal to the task. He introduces choreographed dance sequences and moments of pure fantasy.

One disturbing scene concerns a drugged-out Elton willing death on himself as he plunges into his swimming pool during a party. As he hits the bottom, we are entertained with music, images of him performing as a child and more choreographed sequences floating around him. I guess that’s showbiz.

Another irritating aspect of the film is that Rocketman views Elton’s career as if his principal influences were Elvis Presley and the Beatles. That’s not correct. You would never know the status the retro Crocodile Rock achieved in its time, nor how Elton was emboldened in his drag-circus fashion choices by the rise of glam pioneers such as David Bowie and Marc Bolan.

An aside to the film is that during my years covering the pop beat on Star Tonight, I interviewed Elton twice. The first occasion was when he came out to surprise Rod Stewart at Sun City, and the second when he performed in his own concerts some months later. His opening night concert at Sun City, however, was marred by rain and bad temper.

Taron Egerton in Rocketman. Photo: Paramount Pictures

In the flesh, he was totally engaging and a fountain of great quotes. As a showman he was unsurpassed, a facet Egerton brings forcefully home in this film.

As a whole, Rocketman entertains but it fails to shape a dramatic arc (most of the support characters are thinly sketched), opting instead to use assemblages of disparate hits to keep it on the boil.

Elton and his husband, David Furnish, are executive producers and have given their blessings to the production.

Info

Rating: ★★★☆☆
Cast: Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden, Gemma Jones, Bryce Dallas Howard
Director: Dexter Fletcher
Classification: 16 D (IAT) LPS

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